14 Apr 2017

Liverpool are currently linked with a summer move for Middlesbrough star Ben Gibson, but new reports today suggest that the Reds will have to pay an extortionate transfer fee to seal the deal.

Last month, multiple reports claimed that Liverpool are 'keeping tabs' on Ben Gibson, and according to The Mirror today:

"Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham have all checked on him [Gibson]. Middlesbrough do not want to sell, so it could take as much as £30m to persuade them".

Some info about Gibson:

* 24-year old centre-back. Contract expires: 2021

* Injury history: None so far. Averages 35 games a season over the last 4 years.

* M'Boro: 146 apps (5 goals/assists)

* Nov 2016: On his leadership ability: "I’m quite vocal. I’ve always been a talker. I try to organise and let people know what we demand off each other".

* Dec 2016: Ex-Red Jamie Redknapp enthused: "Ben Gibson has been impressive [this season]. He is a leader of men, and I hope gets an England call-up."

* Mar 2017: Called up the England national team for the first time.

Gibson is the right age to make the step up, and as the highly 'vocal' captain of Middlesbrough, he appears to have leadership ability, a quality in short supply at at Anfield. Is he good enough, though? Consider the following stats:

* Boro are 19th in the Premier League table, with 37 goals conceded.

* Liverpool are 3rd in the table, with 40 goals conceded.

The fact that Boro have a better defensive record than Liverpool (an infinitely richer club) is a fantastic achievement for a club that's nailed-on for relegation. What makes it more impressive is that the 3 teams around Boro - Swansea, Hull, and Sunderland - have conceded 67, 64, and 56 goals respectively.

That clearly shows the impact of Boro's defensive unit, of which Gibson is a major part.